Well, since our specialist Dr. E-I is on vacation and we won't have his clinic this week at the Hotel, he left me with some work to do writing a grant.
Hopefully, I can convince the All Mighty Money Granting organization to send us some for a new project.
We'll see...
Showing posts with label clinic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label clinic. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
The lost shall (again) be found
One of the characters came back today. Sometimes his memory's not so good, but he knows he's been here before.
Just turns out the nursing home sent him with a new driver who was clueless. The driver tried to take him to Washington instead of to us at the Hotel. Once he got on campus, he tried to take Mr. T to the wrong building.
The driver gets out and asks about the clinic. Yes, I tell him, he's ours. Bring him in. Dopey driver brings him in, then I take him where he needs to go.
Mr. T. looks much different than the last time I saw him. He was on his own, drinking heavily (since some of his "nice" caregivers made sure to buy his booze), but now, he's sober. He's old, but he tells me, I know this place.
He was right. And when he got done from his appointment, I saw him in the building looking all pleased. The driver from the nursing home fell asleep waiting for him to be done with his appointment. He snored so loudly, he was providing entertainment for the passersby.
Good thing the sleep lab is in another building, or they would have stopped him to discuss his snoring.
Never a dull moment!
More later...
Just turns out the nursing home sent him with a new driver who was clueless. The driver tried to take him to Washington instead of to us at the Hotel. Once he got on campus, he tried to take Mr. T to the wrong building.
The driver gets out and asks about the clinic. Yes, I tell him, he's ours. Bring him in. Dopey driver brings him in, then I take him where he needs to go.
Mr. T. looks much different than the last time I saw him. He was on his own, drinking heavily (since some of his "nice" caregivers made sure to buy his booze), but now, he's sober. He's old, but he tells me, I know this place.
He was right. And when he got done from his appointment, I saw him in the building looking all pleased. The driver from the nursing home fell asleep waiting for him to be done with his appointment. He snored so loudly, he was providing entertainment for the passersby.
Good thing the sleep lab is in another building, or they would have stopped him to discuss his snoring.
Never a dull moment!
More later...
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Finding the lost
That was a lot of my job recently. Because our office is right off the beaten path, the lost seem to show up there a lot.
People come to our area by mistake. This week the clinic they missed the most was...(drum roll, please) the wheelchair clinic. Oh, I was calling our friend Ralph over there, a few times to say "I've got another one for you." Ralph, being the nice man that he is, was waiting down the way with the door open whenever he could. You just look down the hall, and there you go, I said, about 30 times it seemed like one day.
Some lost souls make me sad. The little guy with hemiparesis in his wheelchair who came all the way from Faraway at 0300 to make his appointment at the Hotel. He got dropped off right next to the elevator, but couldn't get on it. That's where I found him. I got him on it, took him to the clinic he needed to go to, got him his paperwork, helped him get it done, then I handed him off to the clinic nurse who was free. M. our clerk, even stuck around to get his paperwork.
A little later, I met an elderly band leader who was wandering through our building. He was with his wife. He was a little confused on where to go, but I got the two of them on their way, too.
It's not really my job to lead people around the building. We have transporters for that. I tell all the students, though, that it is my job to take care of patients.
If that's the only care I get to give them some days, I figure some care to get them to their appointments on time and happy, is the best care I can give.
Stay tuned...
People come to our area by mistake. This week the clinic they missed the most was...(drum roll, please) the wheelchair clinic. Oh, I was calling our friend Ralph over there, a few times to say "I've got another one for you." Ralph, being the nice man that he is, was waiting down the way with the door open whenever he could. You just look down the hall, and there you go, I said, about 30 times it seemed like one day.
Some lost souls make me sad. The little guy with hemiparesis in his wheelchair who came all the way from Faraway at 0300 to make his appointment at the Hotel. He got dropped off right next to the elevator, but couldn't get on it. That's where I found him. I got him on it, took him to the clinic he needed to go to, got him his paperwork, helped him get it done, then I handed him off to the clinic nurse who was free. M. our clerk, even stuck around to get his paperwork.
A little later, I met an elderly band leader who was wandering through our building. He was with his wife. He was a little confused on where to go, but I got the two of them on their way, too.
It's not really my job to lead people around the building. We have transporters for that. I tell all the students, though, that it is my job to take care of patients.
If that's the only care I get to give them some days, I figure some care to get them to their appointments on time and happy, is the best care I can give.
Stay tuned...
Monday, July 22, 2013
Rumor has it...
Just like the song, we hear JC may be in the house very soon.
So, of course, they moved all the furniture in the waiting area in front of our clinic doors. Nice.
I hope they show while this mess is here and write up the idiot staff I work with.
However, in honor of our good JC friends, I cleaned out our coffee maker. If I'm going to be stressed, it's going to be locked in my office with a cup of coffee before my inquisition.
(Rant over). That is all. Enjoy your Monday.
So, of course, they moved all the furniture in the waiting area in front of our clinic doors. Nice.
I hope they show while this mess is here and write up the idiot staff I work with.
However, in honor of our good JC friends, I cleaned out our coffee maker. If I'm going to be stressed, it's going to be locked in my office with a cup of coffee before my inquisition.
(Rant over). That is all. Enjoy your Monday.
Monday, June 24, 2013
Taking some advice
Mondays are a blast at the Hotel. I'm always in for a surprise or two. Today's menu included:
1. Two pieces of equipment down. Guess who got to resolve their issues...me! Why? We were short tech folks today.
2. I get the call, "you need to go to xx clinic". No biggie. Was going over that way anyway. Since most of their patients are on holiday (or just didn't bother to schedule an appointment), it was dead slow, which gave me plenty of time to talk to the nursing supervisor, etc.
3. While I was at a meeting today, one of the docs told me, "Haven't you toughed out that cold long enough? I think it's time for a Z-pack." Off I go at lunch to call my PCP.
4. I miss an afternoon meeting. Why? Well, a patient who just needed "one little thing done" stayed for an hour. I couldn't resolve his issue, so he called two 800 numbers and then one transferred him three times until he got someone who took his info and will have to call him back.
I wasn't too upset on the last one. That would have been one meeting too many today.
And finally, I got to call our clerk to figure out where one patients ride was. It seems he/she called earlier, but had been roaming around waiting for the ride to no avail. I left and they still hadn't come.
So I gave the patient the ombudsman number and directions to the nurses' station, so they would make sure he/she was off without a hitch.
Tomorrow, thankfully, is another day. And so it goes...
Stay tuned!
1. Two pieces of equipment down. Guess who got to resolve their issues...me! Why? We were short tech folks today.
2. I get the call, "you need to go to xx clinic". No biggie. Was going over that way anyway. Since most of their patients are on holiday (or just didn't bother to schedule an appointment), it was dead slow, which gave me plenty of time to talk to the nursing supervisor, etc.
3. While I was at a meeting today, one of the docs told me, "Haven't you toughed out that cold long enough? I think it's time for a Z-pack." Off I go at lunch to call my PCP.
4. I miss an afternoon meeting. Why? Well, a patient who just needed "one little thing done" stayed for an hour. I couldn't resolve his issue, so he called two 800 numbers and then one transferred him three times until he got someone who took his info and will have to call him back.
I wasn't too upset on the last one. That would have been one meeting too many today.
And finally, I got to call our clerk to figure out where one patients ride was. It seems he/she called earlier, but had been roaming around waiting for the ride to no avail. I left and they still hadn't come.
So I gave the patient the ombudsman number and directions to the nurses' station, so they would make sure he/she was off without a hitch.
Tomorrow, thankfully, is another day. And so it goes...
Stay tuned!
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Choices
Yes, it's the weekend. So many choices ahead, as I get ready to go to MegaConference. Do I buy tons of food to see if Dahey and Bubba will actually eat it, or do I let them fend for themselves?
Do I keep up with laundry, so I don't have a bunch to do when I get back? Decisions...
It was like that at work this week, too. Lots of decisions for me and for the patients.
One patient who needed a specialty appointment decided not to go, even though the weather was nice that day. Why? I don't know, but it could be a decision that changes his life.
Another patient had to take a chance and be seen in our SU clinic. He enjoyed it tremendously.
Many patients were deciding whether or not they needed to do some things on the unit. A couple of our patients decided they didn't need to do something important, which then reminds me of that saying, "Failure to plan is not necessarily an emergency on my part." I did a lot of teaching with one of these folks. It seemed like he took it all in, but only time will tell.
Otherwise, he'll be making some other decisions. Stay tuned!
Do I keep up with laundry, so I don't have a bunch to do when I get back? Decisions...
It was like that at work this week, too. Lots of decisions for me and for the patients.
One patient who needed a specialty appointment decided not to go, even though the weather was nice that day. Why? I don't know, but it could be a decision that changes his life.
Another patient had to take a chance and be seen in our SU clinic. He enjoyed it tremendously.
Many patients were deciding whether or not they needed to do some things on the unit. A couple of our patients decided they didn't need to do something important, which then reminds me of that saying, "Failure to plan is not necessarily an emergency on my part." I did a lot of teaching with one of these folks. It seemed like he took it all in, but only time will tell.
Otherwise, he'll be making some other decisions. Stay tuned!
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Up, down and all around
This describes my week perfectly.
The ups: getting my new clinic finally going after two months and seeing the look on the patients' faces. They are really excited.
Another up: I'm getting sent to a HUGE conference. And I am presenting a poster. It is a really huge honor. Pinching self that the Manglement at the Hotel really came through. I know the Big Boss really made it happen. (Thank goodness he/she is a nurse!)
Downs: when I had the administrative people tell me that "no way is this clinic set up right." Good thing they had their wits come back the next day, and they recanted everything they said the day before. (So I put the Tums and Nexium away...)
All around: Me in the house. Doesn't matter that Dahey's off work, I still have my chores.
But when I'm gone to the MegaConference, he'll just have to hold down the fort for me.
Happy weekend to all, wherever you are!
More to come...
The ups: getting my new clinic finally going after two months and seeing the look on the patients' faces. They are really excited.
Another up: I'm getting sent to a HUGE conference. And I am presenting a poster. It is a really huge honor. Pinching self that the Manglement at the Hotel really came through. I know the Big Boss really made it happen. (Thank goodness he/she is a nurse!)
Downs: when I had the administrative people tell me that "no way is this clinic set up right." Good thing they had their wits come back the next day, and they recanted everything they said the day before. (So I put the Tums and Nexium away...)
All around: Me in the house. Doesn't matter that Dahey's off work, I still have my chores.
But when I'm gone to the MegaConference, he'll just have to hold down the fort for me.
Happy weekend to all, wherever you are!
More to come...
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
A loss in the family
Some times, they say you spend so much time at work it's like your second home. And yes, sometimes that home is inhabited by some pretty dysfunctional family members.
But there are others who remind you of what working together is all about.
I should be finishing one of my very last grad school papers tonight, but I can't. We lost a member of our work family and frankly, I still can't believe it.
Eddy was a nurse who had worked at the Hotel (and Washington, our sister hospital) here in RehabLand for over 10 years. Eddy started out at the Hotel, and just thought he wasn't learning enough, so he transferred to Washington and worked in the ICU. He came back to the Hotel a couple of years ago, when he moved to the same neighborhood.
He had a grand old time there with those ICU patients and was known for having a easy, laid back humor. He could get riled up, but it was rare. If he were freaking out inside over a code or anything, he never showed it. He worked with a nurse in our clinic, K. and he always gave the two of us trouble when we were together. He'd say, "One of these days, I'm going to get my BSN and get a cushy job like you guys have." K. always said, "Eddy, come on down. I'll show you what this 'cushy' job looks like."
Eddy died today. He was on leave with his wife, since she had recently had a baby--their second. We threw a big shower for them days before she went into the hospital to be induced. They brought their older girl and we had a grand old time on the unit. We said, "See you when you get back...before the holidays" and meant it.
When I was in charge (I just like saying that, I'd joke to Eddy) with him on my crew, I never worried. Even though I had less experience, Eddy would ask for my advice. This floored me. "Eddy, why on earth are you asking me, you old ICU nurse?" He would also go home at lunch or dinner time to see his wife (they lived right near the hospital) or she'd bring his dinner to work.
Eddy would just say, "RehabRN, you know a lot, and I ask you to get the real dope on stuff." Guess that made me the "real dope dealer". (Eddy was fond of bad jokes!)
We're still waiting to find out for sure, but they suspect Eddy had some kind of cardiac issue, not unlike many of the patients he had cared for in the ICU. Eddy was reasonably young, didn't smoke, and wasn't overweight.
It's still hard to believe on such a beautiful clear, crisp day, on the cusp of the holidays, he was snatched away from us and his little family to meet his eternal destiny.
May the angels come to greet you, even though we mourn you who were taken away from us too soon. It was a pleasure to know you for the time we had been given.
Godspeed, friend.
But there are others who remind you of what working together is all about.
I should be finishing one of my very last grad school papers tonight, but I can't. We lost a member of our work family and frankly, I still can't believe it.
Eddy was a nurse who had worked at the Hotel (and Washington, our sister hospital) here in RehabLand for over 10 years. Eddy started out at the Hotel, and just thought he wasn't learning enough, so he transferred to Washington and worked in the ICU. He came back to the Hotel a couple of years ago, when he moved to the same neighborhood.
He had a grand old time there with those ICU patients and was known for having a easy, laid back humor. He could get riled up, but it was rare. If he were freaking out inside over a code or anything, he never showed it. He worked with a nurse in our clinic, K. and he always gave the two of us trouble when we were together. He'd say, "One of these days, I'm going to get my BSN and get a cushy job like you guys have." K. always said, "Eddy, come on down. I'll show you what this 'cushy' job looks like."
Eddy died today. He was on leave with his wife, since she had recently had a baby--their second. We threw a big shower for them days before she went into the hospital to be induced. They brought their older girl and we had a grand old time on the unit. We said, "See you when you get back...before the holidays" and meant it.
When I was in charge (I just like saying that, I'd joke to Eddy) with him on my crew, I never worried. Even though I had less experience, Eddy would ask for my advice. This floored me. "Eddy, why on earth are you asking me, you old ICU nurse?" He would also go home at lunch or dinner time to see his wife (they lived right near the hospital) or she'd bring his dinner to work.
Eddy would just say, "RehabRN, you know a lot, and I ask you to get the real dope on stuff." Guess that made me the "real dope dealer". (Eddy was fond of bad jokes!)
We're still waiting to find out for sure, but they suspect Eddy had some kind of cardiac issue, not unlike many of the patients he had cared for in the ICU. Eddy was reasonably young, didn't smoke, and wasn't overweight.
It's still hard to believe on such a beautiful clear, crisp day, on the cusp of the holidays, he was snatched away from us and his little family to meet his eternal destiny.
May the angels come to greet you, even though we mourn you who were taken away from us too soon. It was a pleasure to know you for the time we had been given.
Godspeed, friend.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
They came, they saw...
They took lots of pictures and they asked lots of questions. My doc for this clinic was stellar. He even remembered to keep his white coat on, which was hysterical. (Normally, he never wears his coat in the office.)
We had to wait a long while for the dignitaries to come through, so we asked the doc lots of questions. He told us his father was a military doctor who worked in a controlled area and never talks about his work.
My technical specialist, S., said "I did the same thing when I was in the military. I can't talk about it, either."
"Well, I won't ask any more, because I don't want to hear, 'if I tell you, I'll have to kill you.'" I told S.
The patient, Mr. Q., who was a "jungle grunt" in Vietnam (his words) says, "All they told me about this appointment was that I had to talk to people. Maybe I ought to leave."
"We're just being silly, Mr. Q." I told him. I'm not letting S. do anything to you or he doesn't get anymore Mountain Dew.
S. just smiled...and clutched his bottle close to his chest.
You just have to know what really makes people tick...and where their sense of humor lies.
Mr. Q. had a good time and told me he was going to stay in his room and rest this afternoon, in case he needed to sign any autographs later.
We had a good laugh.
And off I go to sleep. My destiny awaits (with a quick trip to PublicU).
We had to wait a long while for the dignitaries to come through, so we asked the doc lots of questions. He told us his father was a military doctor who worked in a controlled area and never talks about his work.
My technical specialist, S., said "I did the same thing when I was in the military. I can't talk about it, either."
"Well, I won't ask any more, because I don't want to hear, 'if I tell you, I'll have to kill you.'" I told S.
The patient, Mr. Q., who was a "jungle grunt" in Vietnam (his words) says, "All they told me about this appointment was that I had to talk to people. Maybe I ought to leave."
"We're just being silly, Mr. Q." I told him. I'm not letting S. do anything to you or he doesn't get anymore Mountain Dew.
S. just smiled...and clutched his bottle close to his chest.
You just have to know what really makes people tick...and where their sense of humor lies.
Mr. Q. had a good time and told me he was going to stay in his room and rest this afternoon, in case he needed to sign any autographs later.
We had a good laugh.
And off I go to sleep. My destiny awaits (with a quick trip to PublicU).
Friday, September 28, 2012
Sometimes you're the windshield...
And sometimes, you're the bug, as the song says. Nevertheless, it's Friday and I survived.
It was a busy week punctuated by technical difficulties, rascally coworkers, and stressed out providers who bark orders at you, then apologize later (after you've got a nice case of indigestion).
That was just my side of the house in the beauty of the old, untouched, 70s era Hotel. The new, renovated part of the Hotel is shiny, and the infection control nurse is worried about me. "If you don't have a sink in there where you see patients, what are you going to do?"
Turns out I do have a sink, since I use a clinic room that has one. Problem averted. He/she makes me nervous since one of the therapists tried putting the popcorn machine used by the volunteer group in my clinic room. "No dice." I told the therapist. "We have to move it or it will be confiscated." Thankfully, we found a couple of legal spots for the machine in the renovated Hotel section down the hall. Yes, we'll have to walk, but it has its own spot ensconced next to the nutrition refrigerator.
There was sadness, too. One of our very sick patients got back home and died the other day. He was a sort I wasn't sure would get out of the Hotel. He was elderly and got sick while he was over for his annual check-up. He just bounced back and forth for a while. I was happy to see he was up and motoring around with his wife, who became a minor celebrity on the unit when she was featured in a newspaper story about our town before he left us. They never did hold that "autograph session" I was always teasing them about in the lobby, since we have a paper box nearby.
Godspeed Mr. V. You fought the good fight. We'll miss you and your "famous" wife, too.
It was a busy week punctuated by technical difficulties, rascally coworkers, and stressed out providers who bark orders at you, then apologize later (after you've got a nice case of indigestion).
That was just my side of the house in the beauty of the old, untouched, 70s era Hotel. The new, renovated part of the Hotel is shiny, and the infection control nurse is worried about me. "If you don't have a sink in there where you see patients, what are you going to do?"
Turns out I do have a sink, since I use a clinic room that has one. Problem averted. He/she makes me nervous since one of the therapists tried putting the popcorn machine used by the volunteer group in my clinic room. "No dice." I told the therapist. "We have to move it or it will be confiscated." Thankfully, we found a couple of legal spots for the machine in the renovated Hotel section down the hall. Yes, we'll have to walk, but it has its own spot ensconced next to the nutrition refrigerator.
There was sadness, too. One of our very sick patients got back home and died the other day. He was a sort I wasn't sure would get out of the Hotel. He was elderly and got sick while he was over for his annual check-up. He just bounced back and forth for a while. I was happy to see he was up and motoring around with his wife, who became a minor celebrity on the unit when she was featured in a newspaper story about our town before he left us. They never did hold that "autograph session" I was always teasing them about in the lobby, since we have a paper box nearby.
Godspeed Mr. V. You fought the good fight. We'll miss you and your "famous" wife, too.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Sunday night special
Oh, I can't wait until Monday. Dr. RPIA, one of the specialists I work with in the SU called Friday and left a message on my personal cell phone. Yes, I do actually have a phone in my office with voice mail, but I'm sure his/her ADD kicked in and he/she wanted a response immediately.
I'm sure s/he'll have a temper tantrum since someone in his clinic double booked him/her.
Hello not my problem, Doc. You can go to Helen Waite, our complaint specialist. Or sing the song below...
Heaven knows we can wait for another specialist like you to show up, since the last one lost his visa last month. Or we can make your chief start taking patients again.
Stay tuned...
I'm sure s/he'll have a temper tantrum since someone in his clinic double booked him/her.
Hello not my problem, Doc. You can go to Helen Waite, our complaint specialist. Or sing the song below...
Heaven knows we can wait for another specialist like you to show up, since the last one lost his visa last month. Or we can make your chief start taking patients again.
Stay tuned...
Monday, August 20, 2012
Yes, I had a Monday
Power outage, rascally equipment, surly coworkers, you name it. It was a Monday.
But I'll also probably have one of those Tuesdays (meeting day from Hell-back to back for four hours), Wednesday (hump day) and Thursday (madhouse clinic day).
.
I am so glad the folks at the BBC could find researchers willing to solve this terrible problem of Mondays, by saying it's not just Mondays.
Still makes me want to go buy a winning lottery ticket and/or look for some other random financial windfall so I can stay home when I don't want to work.
Stay tuned.
But I'll also probably have one of those Tuesdays (meeting day from Hell-back to back for four hours), Wednesday (hump day) and Thursday (madhouse clinic day).
.
I am so glad the folks at the BBC could find researchers willing to solve this terrible problem of Mondays, by saying it's not just Mondays.
Still makes me want to go buy a winning lottery ticket and/or look for some other random financial windfall so I can stay home when I don't want to work.
Stay tuned.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Nurse as patient? Not!
Sometimes, I really don't like being the patient.
But now, (or earlier today) I was. I had to go see my favorite specialist. Dr. RG has known me since I was this (motion hand to waist) high. He's an international expert on all sorts of weird things in his spare time (usually the not so nice things you might find in a house figure into his work) He became my primary specialist once I aged out of the Children's Medical Center next door to PrivateU. All during college, work, PrivateU again, he'd seen me, at least once or twice a year.
I even sent my husband to him, once he was on my insurance and lo and behold, I find out that Dr. RG has known my husband's family for years because of a relative. We had much joking after that, but from that moment years ago, Dr. RG (who's always attentive) became even more attentive.
When Dr. RG's wife died a few years ago, he surprised me. One, he gave me a hug, because he said he realized that some of his patients (who had been seeing him forever like me) needed one and life was too short. Two, he was, and has always been the doctor to whom I could ask all those weird questions about research and other stuff. He is a font of knowledge. I knew when he gave me advice recently, it was the advice my relative would have given me if he were here. He wasn't, but Dr. RG was.
So now, after the usual checkup, I got a referral to two specialists. One was a second opinion (no bother to me) and another to a neurologist. Dr. RG thinks my problems could be something else, and I need to get them investigated.
Dr. RG told me something else. He's finally retiring. Not to worry, he said, there are plenty of good specialists at PrivateU to take his place. His replacement is nice, but I've decided to see Bubba's specialist. After all, I know he's been trained by the best, because I saw him when he interned with Dr. RG a few years ago.
Dr. RG is going to fulfill his life's ambition and work in a health clinic affiliated with PrivateU part time. He's thrilled and while I'm sad he won't be my doctor, I'm happy he'll still be around taking care of people who need him.
Stay tuned...
But now, (or earlier today) I was. I had to go see my favorite specialist. Dr. RG has known me since I was this (motion hand to waist) high. He's an international expert on all sorts of weird things in his spare time (usually the not so nice things you might find in a house figure into his work) He became my primary specialist once I aged out of the Children's Medical Center next door to PrivateU. All during college, work, PrivateU again, he'd seen me, at least once or twice a year.
I even sent my husband to him, once he was on my insurance and lo and behold, I find out that Dr. RG has known my husband's family for years because of a relative. We had much joking after that, but from that moment years ago, Dr. RG (who's always attentive) became even more attentive.
When Dr. RG's wife died a few years ago, he surprised me. One, he gave me a hug, because he said he realized that some of his patients (who had been seeing him forever like me) needed one and life was too short. Two, he was, and has always been the doctor to whom I could ask all those weird questions about research and other stuff. He is a font of knowledge. I knew when he gave me advice recently, it was the advice my relative would have given me if he were here. He wasn't, but Dr. RG was.
So now, after the usual checkup, I got a referral to two specialists. One was a second opinion (no bother to me) and another to a neurologist. Dr. RG thinks my problems could be something else, and I need to get them investigated.
Dr. RG told me something else. He's finally retiring. Not to worry, he said, there are plenty of good specialists at PrivateU to take his place. His replacement is nice, but I've decided to see Bubba's specialist. After all, I know he's been trained by the best, because I saw him when he interned with Dr. RG a few years ago.
Dr. RG is going to fulfill his life's ambition and work in a health clinic affiliated with PrivateU part time. He's thrilled and while I'm sad he won't be my doctor, I'm happy he'll still be around taking care of people who need him.
Stay tuned...
Friday, March 2, 2012
The best and worst of the week
What a week it was and I can say I am happy, happy, happy it's over. TGIF!
It wasn't just the weather in RehabLand that got exciting. The mood on the unit was the same tempestuous mix of turbulence that was the weather pattern in our neck of the woods.
One minute, a patient is telling a student that he/she was physically assaulted by a staff member. No signs, symptoms, or witnesses, but some of our staff members got long weekends, courtesy of administrative leave. I am sure our charge nurse is glad this week was over after that reason alone.
On the subject of psychotic patients...one word: ugh! Thank goodness for security support and the folks who mark patient records for illness and non-compliance with little things like psychotic episodes of verbal abuse of staff and then they get them out of the neighborhood when they clearly don't see the sign going into the parking garage that says "No weapons of any kind allowed on this property. (including a nice drawing of a handgun and a big knife)"
Yes, go directly to jail, do not pass go, do not collect $200 if you violate this rule.
It's not really psychosis, but technical difficulties occasionally bring out the weirdos on our staff. I'm so glad our support person got ours sorted out or I would have had my face planted in the wall permanently after trying to keep people from wigging out over really relatively minor items that did have workarounds.
But, despite many of these things that were downright horrible, there were good moments.
One of my favorites was the look of excitement of one of the patients who just got up for the first time after flap surgery. When I showed him the new big screen TV in our lounge in the lobby, you'd would have thought I told him he won the lottery. It was a lot of fun for him to sit in front of a big TV after being sick so long and trapped in a room with a little TV.
Another one of our patients wandered by and was worried that he was getting sick. We got him in a clinic to see our docs, but now he has to have tests. He was worried, but we talked about them, and his strategies for coping with things at home. I even called one of our team to get him a consult for when he comes back for his next visit. He was delighted, and said, "I can't believe you'd do that for me." I just said, "That's my job...keeping us all employed helping you." and smiled. He just laughed. I also got to make sure the transport people picked him up to go home, so I was busy!
And some of my projects I've been working on got rolling this week after, literally months in process. Oh, joy, joy, joy! I may actually get something done this year.
Indeed, it was the best and worst of times, but happily, the best outnumbered the worst today.
More to come...
It wasn't just the weather in RehabLand that got exciting. The mood on the unit was the same tempestuous mix of turbulence that was the weather pattern in our neck of the woods.
One minute, a patient is telling a student that he/she was physically assaulted by a staff member. No signs, symptoms, or witnesses, but some of our staff members got long weekends, courtesy of administrative leave. I am sure our charge nurse is glad this week was over after that reason alone.
On the subject of psychotic patients...one word: ugh! Thank goodness for security support and the folks who mark patient records for illness and non-compliance with little things like psychotic episodes of verbal abuse of staff and then they get them out of the neighborhood when they clearly don't see the sign going into the parking garage that says "No weapons of any kind allowed on this property. (including a nice drawing of a handgun and a big knife)"
Yes, go directly to jail, do not pass go, do not collect $200 if you violate this rule.
It's not really psychosis, but technical difficulties occasionally bring out the weirdos on our staff. I'm so glad our support person got ours sorted out or I would have had my face planted in the wall permanently after trying to keep people from wigging out over really relatively minor items that did have workarounds.
But, despite many of these things that were downright horrible, there were good moments.
One of my favorites was the look of excitement of one of the patients who just got up for the first time after flap surgery. When I showed him the new big screen TV in our lounge in the lobby, you'd would have thought I told him he won the lottery. It was a lot of fun for him to sit in front of a big TV after being sick so long and trapped in a room with a little TV.
Another one of our patients wandered by and was worried that he was getting sick. We got him in a clinic to see our docs, but now he has to have tests. He was worried, but we talked about them, and his strategies for coping with things at home. I even called one of our team to get him a consult for when he comes back for his next visit. He was delighted, and said, "I can't believe you'd do that for me." I just said, "That's my job...keeping us all employed helping you." and smiled. He just laughed. I also got to make sure the transport people picked him up to go home, so I was busy!
And some of my projects I've been working on got rolling this week after, literally months in process. Oh, joy, joy, joy! I may actually get something done this year.
Indeed, it was the best and worst of times, but happily, the best outnumbered the worst today.
More to come...
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Is the moon changing?
Maybe not according to these folks, but you would have thought otherwise recently at the Hotel.
The big cheese of Madison actually replied to an e-mail I sent to him. We're getting all progressive and the Manglement is trying to "do a system redesign and talk to the people who do the work." I nearly fell over, since he actually asked me for feedback on one of the SU's projects.
The patients, however were not patient. One character was just not happy. One minute, he was mad. Then he was sad. This repeated over and over again for a while. Somehow I wonder if that lithium was really working.
Another character was about ready to turn vigilante on me on the parking lot. Mr. Explodo was really agitated when some of our fine (and incidentally, not visibly disabled) Madison employees parked right in front of the building in the handicapped spot. Mr. E. got in front of the car in his wheelchair to wait for security and the driver nearly ran him over. Just makes me wonder...ugh!
Thankfully, Mr. B. was a bright spot on my schedule. He came to his appointment in a cheerful mood and he was happy to work with us. It was bliss!
I wish I could order a few more like him. Stay tuned...
The big cheese of Madison actually replied to an e-mail I sent to him. We're getting all progressive and the Manglement is trying to "do a system redesign and talk to the people who do the work." I nearly fell over, since he actually asked me for feedback on one of the SU's projects.
The patients, however were not patient. One character was just not happy. One minute, he was mad. Then he was sad. This repeated over and over again for a while. Somehow I wonder if that lithium was really working.
Another character was about ready to turn vigilante on me on the parking lot. Mr. Explodo was really agitated when some of our fine (and incidentally, not visibly disabled) Madison employees parked right in front of the building in the handicapped spot. Mr. E. got in front of the car in his wheelchair to wait for security and the driver nearly ran him over. Just makes me wonder...ugh!
Thankfully, Mr. B. was a bright spot on my schedule. He came to his appointment in a cheerful mood and he was happy to work with us. It was bliss!
I wish I could order a few more like him. Stay tuned...
Saturday, January 7, 2012
The week that was
I'm always happy when the week is over, if for no other reason than the respite. This week, while short, made me want another day.
It was fortunate that I got over my vacation pretty quickly. I dived in at work and got things started faster than I imagined. Having the stomach flu/migraine/sinus headache from hell one day only slowed me down a little bit. When I got back to work, things just clicked.
And every single day, I'm working toward my goals being achieved for the new year.
1. Doing more patient education.
2. Getting my docs, NPs, CNSs, PAs closer and closer to working in our new clinics.
3. Seeing the lights go on among those providers now that they've actually digested that training I did. (Priceless! Don't feel like I'm speaking Greek anymore).
I still have to wait for the machinery and bureaucracy that is the Hotel to churn, but I've found ways of working around it. This makes me very happy indeed!
Stay tuned...
It was fortunate that I got over my vacation pretty quickly. I dived in at work and got things started faster than I imagined. Having the stomach flu/migraine/sinus headache from hell one day only slowed me down a little bit. When I got back to work, things just clicked.
And every single day, I'm working toward my goals being achieved for the new year.
1. Doing more patient education.
2. Getting my docs, NPs, CNSs, PAs closer and closer to working in our new clinics.
3. Seeing the lights go on among those providers now that they've actually digested that training I did. (Priceless! Don't feel like I'm speaking Greek anymore).
I still have to wait for the machinery and bureaucracy that is the Hotel to churn, but I've found ways of working around it. This makes me very happy indeed!
Stay tuned...
Saturday, September 10, 2011
The show hits the road
So, I got my quickie orientation (which isn't really over, BTW, Boss) and now I'm off to training, 'cause Manglement said the network requires it, and you're going.
Doesn't bother me in the least...I love traveling! Bring it on. I'm excited about meeting more clinic monkeys like me.
Stay tuned!
Doesn't bother me in the least...I love traveling! Bring it on. I'm excited about meeting more clinic monkeys like me.
Stay tuned!
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Be careful
What you wish for, because you just might get it.
Oh, I got it today all right. Our hospital network Big Cheese said at our meeting, "Sure. You get a desk and your own office and all the admin stuff done you asked for. I'll take care of it."
"So can you open that clinic by the end of the month?"
WT...I think my mouth was open so wide I could have had a whole lot of flies coming on in.
Thankfully, Bob, our clinic manager (and my orienting RN) pinched me and said to BC, "Sure. We'll get it done."
No more daydreaming, because it's off to work on the finest clinic in the SU of RehabLand. I'm gonna need a whole lot more coffee...stay tuned.
Oh, I got it today all right. Our hospital network Big Cheese said at our meeting, "Sure. You get a desk and your own office and all the admin stuff done you asked for. I'll take care of it."
"So can you open that clinic by the end of the month?"
WT...I think my mouth was open so wide I could have had a whole lot of flies coming on in.
Thankfully, Bob, our clinic manager (and my orienting RN) pinched me and said to BC, "Sure. We'll get it done."
No more daydreaming, because it's off to work on the finest clinic in the SU of RehabLand. I'm gonna need a whole lot more coffee...stay tuned.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Mulling
Waiting to see how things go in the new semester, in the clinic, and with the soon-to-be new boss.
The Hotel is hopping since there is less staff right now and they're expected to do more.
We shall see what happens...
The Hotel is hopping since there is less staff right now and they're expected to do more.
We shall see what happens...
Friday, August 12, 2011
Ready, set...
Go! I flew out of the gate on my latest shift, and it, happily, went smoothly. Everyone cooperated, I got stuff done and for the most part, the warts on the night didn't show.
The genie came out of the bottle. Today I received a letter from HR that I am to report to the clinic for my first day very soon. In fact, it's much sooner than I could have imagined. My boss said, "The big guy did it (pointing to the ceiling)" but it was not a miracle. No, it was the big cheese, the CNO, who made it all happen. When it comes down to brass tacks, as Momma used to say, let the brass do it (or their designees).
I'm in for a wild final run here in the Hotel. Cross your fingers!
The genie came out of the bottle. Today I received a letter from HR that I am to report to the clinic for my first day very soon. In fact, it's much sooner than I could have imagined. My boss said, "The big guy did it (pointing to the ceiling)" but it was not a miracle. No, it was the big cheese, the CNO, who made it all happen. When it comes down to brass tacks, as Momma used to say, let the brass do it (or their designees).
I'm in for a wild final run here in the Hotel. Cross your fingers!
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